Dear editor:
Sunday's front-page headline announced "Budget threatens city's commercial air service."
Unfortunately, during the 20 years we have lived in Hot Springs, commercial air service has never been successful. Every carrier left, and several went bankrupt, even with huge government subsidies per passenger. I tried it a couple of times and found it unsatisfactory. There were no through fares and connecting was difficult. Timekeeping was undependable, perhaps because on time was not necessary -- only take offs and landings were required for collection of the subsidy.
We only had the service because of political maneuvering. Hot Springs did not qualify according to the requirement of having to be over 210 miles from a major airport. We never should have had the service to begin with. People simply drive an hour to Little Rock where there is more economical and superior service. For Hot Springs there is little hope of future success and it is a huge waste of taxpayer money.
The city has an opportunity to provide a viable air connection its citizens would use. The airport building and parking lot could be used to provide free parking and bus service direct to the Little Rock Airport. Hot Springs residents would use it because it would be less expensive than parking at Little Rock. Service every hour or two hours with pricing of $15 or round trip for $25 or two people would attract many times that of the former air service. Very little, if any, subsidy would be required per passenger, especially if visitors use it.
A Little Rock Airport bus would increase people using the airport, help local car rentals and a potential coffee/snack bar operator. It would also provide driving jobs for local residents. It is time the hamburger tax is used to benefit both visitors and local citizens who pay these taxes. Steve Arrison, are you paying attention?
Brian Holtz
Hot Springs
Editorial on 03/26/2017